Nairobi, May 10 -- On June 4, 2019, former President Uhuru Kenyatta made a commitment to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kenya by the year 2022. Later that November, he reaffirmed this commitment when he met with cultural and religious elders from communities with high FGM rates at State House in Nairobi. This was a significant milestone, as the leaders signed commitments to support the President's vision. During the occasion, the President directed relevant government agencies to enforce the law and take action against perpetrators.

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) had made a similar commitment to ending the cutting of girls and women by 2030. However, when Uhuru left office in August 2022, girls and women from at least 22 counti...